No. 5 seed Kerber ousted by No. 19 Makarova

MELBOURNE, Australia — Fifth-seeded Angelique Kerber was ousted in the fourth round of the Australian Open by the woman who defeated Serena Williams at the same stage last year.

No. 19-seeded Ekaterina Makarova had a 7-5, 6-4 win in the opening match today in Rod Laver Arena, taking out the highest seed to tumble so far at the season's first major.

Makarova beat Williams in the fourth round in 2012 at Melbourne Park and went on to reach the quarterfinals, which remains her best result at a Grand Slam. Kerber and Makarova were two of only four women in 2012 to beat Williams, who lost only one match in the second half of last season as she collected titles at Wimbledon, the London Olympics, the U.S. Open and the WTA Championships.

Wimbledon semifinalist Kerber had beaten Makarova three times last year, including in the second round at Wimbledon.

“Seems like it was the same this year and last year. Unbelievable feeling,” Makarova said. “I really like to play here. The crowd is so perfect.”

Kerber said she had trouble with her back, but it didn't affect the outcome, adding that Makarova was capable of going further in the tournament.

More Information

When: Through Jan. 27

Where: Melbourne Park

TV: 6 p.m., Tennis

Channel; 8 p.m., ESPN2

2012 winners: Novak

Djokovic, Victoria Azarenka

Online: australianopen.com

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“I think if she played very well, she can, yeah, beat also top players,” Kerber said.

The 24-year-old Makarova could meet fellow Russian and No. 2-ranked Maria Sharapova in the quarterfinals, the same stage they met last year. Sharapova can advance by beating Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens later today in the fourth round.

“Actually I really want to play against Maria because I lost here last year in the quarters, and I play a lot of times against her last year,” Makarova said.

“Now I'm pretty confident, and I like my game.”

Another pair who met here last year played out a similar result Saturday night, with No. 2-ranked Roger Federer knocking Bernard Tomic out of the tournament in straight sets to end Australia's participation in either the men's or women's singles draws.

Federer gave the 20-year-old Aussie an instant reality check by breaking him in the very first game to set up a 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-1 win.

“It's not my favorite part of the job beating up on the hometown heroes,” Federer told the crowd at Rod Laver Arena, where he has won four of his 17 Grand Slam titles.

“But it's nice that you guys sort of invite me back every year.”

Federer earned his 250th win at a Grand Slam event.

Also advancing were former U.S. and French Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova and former No. 1-ranked Caroline Wozniacki.